Dozens of bicyclists are injured or killed every year in Florida due to auto accidents. A cyclist doesn’t have any protection to prevent serious injuries other than a helmet to protect their head. Even the most experienced cyclists have a higher risk of injury once they take to Florida roads.
Whether you or someone in your family has been injured in a bicycle accident in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, you are entitled to claim adequate compensation from the responsible motorist for your injuries. But you won’t be automatically compensated just because you file a bicycle accident claim. You need to prove the negligence of the other party in order to get adequately compensated for your injuries. A bicycle accident lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens can help you with that.
When you are looking for the best bicycle accident lawyers in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, you don’t have to look further than Steinberg Law. We are your trusted partners in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, for all your personal injury cases including bicycle accident lawsuits. Our car accident lawyers have the necessary knowledge, expertise, and negotiation skills to successfully handle your claim and obtain the maximum compensation you rightly deserve. Call Steinberg Law in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, at 877-783-4611 right now to handle your bicycle accident case and obtain maximum benefits for your injuries.
What Are Florida’s Bicycle Laws?
After a bicycle accident, you may wonder what your rights are under the law. If the other party’s carelessness was the reason for your injuries and damages, you can claim damages from them. But the most important thing is to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer in town who specializes in handling bicycle accident lawsuits. A reliable bicycle accident attorney can act as your guide and advocate throughout all stages of the claims and settlement process. Finding a reliable personal injury law firm in Palm Beach Gardens may not be easy as you think. There are dozens of such law firms, but all of them are not created equal. Here are some of the relevant bicycle laws in Florida:
- Bicycles are defined as vehicles in Florida and usually have the same rights & responsibilities as other motor vehicle drivers. But when a cyclist rides on sidewalks, they are considered pedestrians.
- Bicycles are permitted on sidewalks (in most places in Florida but not all). The cyclist should yield to the right-of-way of any pedestrians.
- Bicyclists on roadways must exercise due care when passing a standing vehicle.
- If you are under 16 years of age, you should wear a properly fastened helmet.
- A bicycle must be equipped with a front white light visible from 500 feet away when riding at night.
- Every bicycle should have brakes that allow the equipment to stop within 25 feet from a speed of 10 miles per hour.
How Is Fault Determined In Bicycle Accidents In Florida?
In Florida, courts apply the doctrine of pure comparative fault. You can claim compensation for your injuries even when you are responsible for causing the accident. For example, if your involvement in causing the accident is 40%, you are entitled to claim up to 60% damages from the total compensation awarded by the judge or jury. Here are 4 important points to prove in order to claim maximum compensation for your injuries:
- You should prove that the responsible party or defendant had a duty of care to protect other people using the roads of Florida.
- You should prove that the defendant breached his/her duty of care by driving carelessly.
- You need to prove that the accident was caused due to the negligence or carelessness of the defendant.
- You should prove that your injuries and damages occurred as a direct result of the accident.
What Should I Do After A Bicycle Accident?
If you or someone in your family has been involved in an auto accident in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, there are many important things to do soon after the incident. Here are some of the most important steps to take immediately after the accident:
Call the police and report the incident
If you are not seriously injured in the accident, you should call the police and report the incident. If you are injured, you can ask someone else to do so. There should be an official record of what really took place at the accident scene. You should get a copy of the police report so that your lawyer knows what actually happened at the scene.
Seek medical help
Even if you think you are not seriously injured in the accident, you should seek medical help. Retain all the medical records to facilitate filing your claim later on. The insurance company will check all these documents to know whether you have actually been injured in the accident.
Record the scene with your smartphone
It’s important to take notes of what happened at the scene and take photos or video the entire scene. This is important to prove the fault of the other party. Your lawyer will need this evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
Exchange information and collect information on eyewitnesses
This is another important step. You should exchange information (license numbers, insurance details, and contact details) with the other party. Don’t forget to collect the contact information and names of eyewitnesses to the scene. Your lawyer will need to interview eyewitnesses to build a strong case on your behalf.
Never admit fault before talking to a personal injury lawyer at Steinberg Law
This is one of the most important steps to take when you are involved in an accident in Palm Beach Gardens. Don’t admit fault for the accident with any party without consulting with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer at Steinberg Law. Hire an experienced personal injury lawyer at Steinberg Law to file a strong case and obtain the maximum amount of compensation from the at-fault party.
What Types Of Damages Can You Get In A Palm Beach Gardens Bicycle Accident Claim?
Bicycle injuries are categorized under personal injury tort in Florida. You are entitled to claim economic and non-economic damages for your injuries and property damages. Economic damages are easy to calculate and assign a dollar figure. But non-economic damages are difficult to assign a dollar figure. You can claim medical bills, lost wages, and loss of quality of life under economic damages.
Non-economic damages may include mental distress and loss of companionship. On the other hand, the court may decide to award punitive damages to the plaintiff if the defendant’s behavior was reckless in causing the accident. In fact, punitive damages are not meant to compensate the victim but to punish the defendant and deter other drivers from behaving recklessly.
How Much Time Do I Have To File A Bicycle Accident Claim?
The Florida bicycle accident statute of limitations is four years from when the accident occurred. You should file the claim before 4 years to claim maximum damages for your injuries.
How Much Will A Bicycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
Hiring a bicycle accident lawyer at Steinberg Law won’t cost you anything. In fact, the lawyers at Steinberg Law work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t have to pay a penny unless the lawyer wins your claim. Once your case is won and you are awarded compensation for your injuries, you will most likely pay a pre-agreed percentage of the awarded compensation as lawyer fees. Speak with one of our expert personal injury lawyers to learn how this works.
Why Do I Need A Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
Trying to handle your bicycle accident claim on your own isn’t the best thing to do. Personal injury law is a complex tort that requires expert intervention to apprehend certain important clauses and apply them to the advantage of your case. Here are some of the many benefits of hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer at Steinberg Law to handle your bicycle accident claim in Palm Beach Gardens, FL:
Case preparation and filing the lawsuit
Our lawyers will first evaluate your lawsuit and advise if there is a valid claim. If there is a valid claim, our team will build a strong case on your behalf by interviewing eyewitnesses and expert witnesses.
Negotiating a settlement
Negotiating with insurance companies isn’t an easy task. Insurance companies are not on your side. They will try to pay out minimum compensation or deny your claim altogether at the slightest mistake on your part. Our lawyers have the necessary experience to negotiate with insurance companies and get you the maximum compensation that you rightly deserve.
Trial preparation and representation
In case the insurance company fails to offer adequate compensation for your injuries, we will take your case to trial.
Contact Your Bicycle Accident Lawyer In Palm Beach Gardens From Steinberg Law
When you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, you are entitled to claim adequate compensation from the responsible party. You need to work with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer at Steinberg Law to obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. Call Steinberg Law in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, at 877-783-4611 right now to handle your bicycle accident case and obtain maximum benefits for your injuries.
